Liquid spray steam iron



Oct. 3, 1961 T. RfFLOWERS LIQUID SPRAY STEAM IRON Filed June 19, 1957 [)7 M92725 0)": Theodor-e F/owens,

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3,002,302 HQ SPRAY STEAM IRON Theodore R. Flowers, Fair-field, Conn., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed June 19, 1957, Ser. No. 666,577 15 Claims. (Cl. 3877) This invention relates to steam fiatirons, and more particularly to such an iron including a liquid sprayer operated by steam generated within the iron.

Flatirons, including a steam generator within the iron for discharging steam onto the fabric during operation, present many advantages over dry irons. The reason appears to be that many fabrics can be smoothed effectively only upon application of heat in the presence of moisture. It is believed, therefore, that the beneficial effect of steam in the ironing process is achieved, at least in part, by condensation of steam in the fabric and subsequent evaporation by heat from the iron. In fact, if superheated, dry steam only is discharged into a heated fabric (heated, for example, by the iron itself) the ironing results may be no better than achieved with a dry iron.

Experience demonstrates the practical limits of steam condensation in a given fabric during hand ironing with a domestic steam iron of the type now generally available. For cottons and linens, in particular, sufiicient steam condensation does not occur for a completely satisfactory ironing operation. Therefore, it is common practice with such fabrics to dampen manually, for example, by sprinkling, followed by a waiting period to achieve even distribution of moisture through the fabric. Also, such fabrics require a relatively hot iron. If a steam iron soleplate is operated at the necessary temperature, the steam discharged through the soleplate tends to become superheated and exceptionally dry, thus further decreasing the condensation of moisture in the fabric.

An object of the present invention is to provide in a flatiron a liquid sprayer capable of substantially instantaneous operation to discharge finely atomized liquid onto the fabric at any time during the ironing operation.

A further object of this invention is to include in a steam iron of the type having a flash steam generator, a liquid sprayer powered by steam generated within the iron.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a flatiron capable of operation as a dry iron or as a steam iron, at the selection of the operator; and which further includes a liquid sprayer operable at will and powered by steam generated within the iron.

The objects of my invention may be realized in a flatiron through the provision of a liquid sprayer powered and operated by steam generated in a flash steam generator within the iron. A discharge conduit from the flash steam generator terminates in a steam nozzle die rected toward the fabric being ironed. By control of Water flow into the flash steam generator, the iron may be operated as a steam iron or as a dry iron. Liquid spray is provided when water flow is permitted through a water conduit with discharge into the steam fiow from the steam nozzle. A suitable valve in the water conduit may be arranged for convenient operator control, to permit sprayer operation as desired.

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which I regard as my invention, it is believed the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partially in section, of a steam and liquid spray iron in accordance with one embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view to illustrate deshow" haten l 1961"" 2 tails of the valve mechanism included in the embodiment of FIG. 1; v

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3' of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial side elevation in section illustrating a modified form of a steam and liquid spray iron in ac cordance with this invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged crosssectional view illustrating: details of the liquid and steam valve included in the embodiment of FIG. 4;

And FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line of 6-6 of FIG. 5.

Referring to the drawing, in FIG. 1 I have shown a flatiron of the domestic type having a soleplate 1, to which is secured in any desired and well known manner, an outer shell 2 and handle 3. Soleplate 1 may be heated electrically, for example, by means of a sheath type heatin element comprising an outer metallic sheath 4 in which is located centrally an electrical heating element 5.

spaced and insulated from the outer sheath by a compound such as highly compressed and granulated magnesium oxide. This heating element is, of course, sup-' plied with electrical power from a suitable supply cord (not shown). The temperature of the soleplate of the iron may be controlled by any suitable thermostatic switch mechanism (not shown) of a well known type ad justable to select the desired operating temperature by means of a link 6 extending upwardly through a hollow portion '7 of the front handle support. The rotary posi-' tion of link 6 may be adjusted by a manually operable member 8 extending outwardly through the front handle support. In a conventional manner, a suitable temperature indicating dial or scale 9 may be provided, fixed to the handle of the iron; thus, by adjusting the position of member ii, the operator of the iron may select the desired soleplate temperature.

The present invention is directed particularly to that type of iron which includes a flash steam generator. Typically, .soleplate' l is provided with a steam generating cavity iii, located preferably adjacent to the forward portion of the iron and in proximity to the bight or closed end of the heating element loop imbedded withinthe soleplate. The steam generating cavity is enclosed by a cover plate 11 secured to the upper surface of the soleplate by suitable fastening devices such as 12. As shown in FIG. 1, coverplate 11 may include a steam dome 13 in a vapor-tight relationship. This steam dome 13 serves several functions presently to be described, and preferably is fabricated from a material such as stainless steel to retard the flow of heat from the soleplate to other components of the iron.

A liquid supply may be carried within the iron in a water reservoir 14 located above the soleplate and within the outer shell 2. Reservoir 14 may, of course, be provided with an appropriately shaped bushing 15 through which temperature control link 6 extends. Extending upwardly from the top wall of reservoir 14 adjacent the forward end is a riser or fill tube 16. A fill funnel 117 is secured within an aperture in the forward wall of the front handle support, this fill funnel communicating also through an aperture in the front wall of riser 16. Thus, the iron may be filled with liquid by placing the iron on its heel rest, whereupon water may be poured into fill funnel '17.

The bottom wall of the reservoir includes an enlarged aperture 18 through which the upper portion of steam dome 13 extends. As shown, steam dome 13 may include a shoulder 19 to receive the bottom wall of the reservoir, with a suitable gasket 20 interposed to pro-- vide a liquid tight seal. With this arrangement, it is contemplated that the reservoir will be biased downwardly into firm engagement with shoulder 19 on the steam 7 liquid flow control means.

dome through suitably arranged mounting means for the reservoir (not shown).

In a steam iron of this type, liquid is allowed to flow at a relatively slow rate from the liquid reservoir into the flash steam generating chamber. Assuming that the iron has been in operation for a short time, the heating element heats the flash steam generating cavity to a substantial temperature, whereby liquid discharged into the cavity from the reservoir is flashed almost instantly into steam. To provide communication from the reservoir to the flash steam generator and to control the how of water, I have provided a valve body 21 secured to steam dome 13 in any suitable manner, such as by spinning or brazing. This valve body 21 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, and as shown, a replaceable orifice member 22 is secured into the lower end of the valve body with an aperture '23 through which liquid flows into the steam generator. The inlet passage 24 into the valve body connects with a valve seat 25, and with which is cooperatively associated a valve member as. The valve member, in particular, includes a central cylindrical portion and a stem 27 of reduced diameter, with a tapered portion 28 cooperating with valve seat 25 as the The interior walls of valve body 21 are ribbed or corrugated as shown at 2?, so that when valve member 26 is moved downwardly so that tapered surface 28 is clear of valve seat 25, liquid flows through inlet passageway 24 and along the passageways provided by corrugations 29 to discharge orifice 23. Preferably, valve member 26 includes a projecting portion 30 extending through orifice 23, and which operates as a clean-out member upon relative motion between the valve member 25 and the valve body.

With this construction, the iron may be operated as a dry iron at any time, even though water may be contained. in the reservoir, by closing valve 26 with respect to the. valve body. Under normal circumstances, valve 26 is maintained in a closed position by means of a com pression spring 31 acting between the valve body and valve stem 27, as shown by FIG. 1. For convenient operator adjustment, a push button 32 is provided at the top forward portion of the handle. This push button is connected by a link 33 to the upper end of valve stem 27. As shown, valve stem 27 may be guided through an appropriate packing gland or other sealing means 34 arranged at the upper closed end of reservoir riser 16. Assuming that it may be desired to operate the iron for substantial periods as a steam iron, a shoulder 35 may be provided on the handle for cooperation with a shoulder 36 arranged on knob 32. Thus, knob 32 may be depressed and the cooperating shoulders engaged, to hold button 32, and hence valve 26 in an open position. in such open position, liquid flows at a substantially constant rate through valve body 21 and orifice 23 into the flash steam generating chamber.

As shown in FIG. 1, steam generated within cavity 10 discharges through a steam tube or conduit 37, terminating in a nozzle or end portion 38 directed toward the fabric to be ironed. In the present instance, tube 37 and nozzle 38 are shown as discharging through an aperture 39 provided in the soleplate. In the usual manner, aperture 39 communicates with steam distribution passages to distribute steam over the fabric being ironed. Preferably, nozzle 38 provides a restricted steam discharge orifice, so that -a substantial steam pressure is built up within the flash steam generator 10 during operation.

If liquid is to flow at a substantially constant rate from the reservoir into the flash steam generator during operation, it is, of course, essential that substantially the same pressure exists above the water in the reservoir as exists within the steam generator. To provide the necessary pressure equalization, a pressure balancing tube 40 is mounted on steam dome 13, the balancing tube 40 extending upwardly through the reservoir. The upper end of the balancing tube is, of course, open, and hence it is desirable that the upper end be located well up in riser 16, and preferably protected by any suitable baflle arrangement to eliminate the risk of water flowing downwardly through the balance tube into the steam generator.

While an iron as thus far described provides adjustable temperature control, and may be used either as a steam or a dry iron, there still may be applications where satisfactory results are not achieved for the reason that insuflicient moisture is in the fabric. In particular, the heavier fabrics, cottons and linens, require substantially more moisture than can be provided by a steam iron if the smoothing operation is to be satisfactory. An in: crease in steaming rate has proved unsuccessful as a means for providing additional moisture in the fabric, since the additoinal steam merely heats the fabric without addin any actual moisture. Hand sprinkling or dampening has, of course, been the conventional answer in the past. However, this is not altogether satisfactory for various reasons. in the first place, the sprinkling involves a separate manual operation which takes time, and in most instances a time interval should be allowed following sprinkling for even distribution of the moisture through the fabric. Furthermore, sprinkling or application of water causes spots to appear on certain fabrics, again an unsatisfactory and undesirable result. In accordance with, the present invention, however, a liquid spray is provided at the will of the operator, it only being necessary for the operator to depress button 32 an additional amount, whereupon a liquid spray discharges in the form of a finely divided mist of liquid through aperture 39 in the soleplate. Preferably, the operator lifts the iron from the fabric being ironed upon depression of button 32, allowing the spray to distribute over a wider area.

To provide this spray, I have shown in FIG. 1 a liquid conduit 41 from valve body 21 to a discharge point inthe path of steam discharging from steam nozzle 38. Thus, as water flows through water conduit 41. and discharges into the steam flow, the high speed motion of the steam breaks the water up into fine particles as a spray.

if sufiicient steam pressure is employed, liquid can be sprayed directly from water conduit 41.

Valve body 2.1 and valve member 26 provide the necessary control means for selection by the operator of thedoes not flow through water conduit 41 until such time as valve member 26 has been depressed a further distance, for example, to the position shown in FIG. 2. Thus, while the cylindrical portion of valve member 26 covers the port associated with water conduit all, no liquid flows through this conduit. However, when valve member 26 has been depressed so that the tapered portion 28 is opposite the port associated with water conduit 41, then liquid is allowedto flow at a limited rate through the Water conduit for atomization or spray by action of the high velocity steam dis-charging through nozzle 38.

To maintain pressure within reservoir 14, it is, of course, necessary to seal the liquid fill opening. This may be done conveniently, for example, by a ball check valve. As illustrated, by FIG. 1, fill funnel 17 may include a valve seat member d2 formed to receive a checkvalve in the form of a ball 43. Funnel 17 may be constructed to retain ball 43 within its valve operating area, and so that when there is no pressure within the reservoir, and the iron is on its heel rest, ball 43 permits filling of the reservoir with liquid. However, during operation when steam pressure exists withinthe reservoir, ball 43 is forced into engagement with seat 42, thereby sealing the reservoir and maintaining steam pressure therein.

In operation, the iron'illustrated by FIGS. 1 through 3 may be operated as a dry iron, a steam iron, or a spray iron at the will of the operator. Assuming that reservoir 14 has been filled with liquid and that the electrical heating element has been connected to a suitable source of power, knob 8 is adjusted to the desired ironing temperature. As long as knob 32 is in the upper position, the iron may be operated as a dry iron, since no liquid can fiow into the steam generating cavity. If the operator should desire application of steam during ironing, push button 32 is depressed to lock the inner engaging shoulders 35 and 36. In this position, the cylindrical barrel portion of valve member 26 still blocks flow of liquid into water conduit 41; but permits flow of liquid through the valve orifice 23 into the steam generating cavity. Thus, steam discharges through the steam conduit 37 and nozzle 3% to the material being ironed. At the same time, steam may pass upwardly through the pressure balancing tube '40, and as steam pressure builds up within the reservoir, ball check valve 43 seats against 42, thereby sealing the reservoir and maintaining the steam pressure therein substantially equal to the pressure existing within the steam generating chamber. If the operator desires the application of a liquid spray at any time, it is necessary only to depress button 32 a further amount, thereby allowing liquid from reservoir 14 to flow into water conduit 41. As the liquid discharges from water conduit 41, it is directly in the path of the high velocity steam issuing from nozzle 38, and thus the water is immediately atomized or broken up into fine particles, and is, of course, carried with the steam toward the fabric being ironed.

In accordance with the embodiment of FIGS. 4 through 6, a steam and liquid spray iron is illustrated for accomplishing the same ultimate functions. However, in accordance with this embodiment, it is unnecessary to maintain the liquid reservoir under pressure during operation as a steam or spray iron. Thus, an open lightweight reservoir may be employed, conveniently located to sup ply Water to the steam generator, although remotely positioned if desired, for example, on a travel iron application.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the iron illustrated includes a soleplate 44 to which is secured in any suitable manner an outer shell 45 and handle 46. A heating element may be identical with the form previously described, including an electrical element 5 supported within and insulated from an outer sheath 4. Similarly, the iron may include a temperature adjustment knob 8 connected with link 6 for adjustment of a temperature control mechanism (not shown) within the body of the iron. Also, as described in connection with FIG. 1, temperature control knob 8 may operate in conjunction with a fixed temperature dial or scale 9.

The flash steam generating chamber in accordance with this embodiment includes a cavity 47 closed by a coverplate 48 secured to the upper surface of the soleplate by fastening devices 48a. In this instance, coverplate 48 is apertured to receive a valve assembly 49, the coverplate being provided with a shoulder 50 to provide a surface which may be sealed, thereby defining an enclosed steam generating chamber.

As shown by FIG. 4, this iron also includes a reservoir 51 to permit a quantity of liquid to be carried by the iron. Reservoir 51 includes an upwardly extending riser 52 within the hollow front handle support. This riser communicates with a fill tunnel 53 arranged in the front handle support to permit filling when the iron is upended on its heel rest. Secured to the lower wall of reservoir 51 is the body 54 of the liquid valve, forming a part of the valve assembly 49. Obviously, in this form of my invention, the liquid reservoir could be located at any point, even externally of the iron body if desired.

Valve assembly 49, in addition to liquid valve body 5'4, includes a steam valve body 55. As shown most clearly in FIG. 5, the steam valve body is provided on its upper portion with an outwardly extending sealing flange 56 overlying flange 50 of coverplate 48. A suitable sealing gasket 57 may be included between flanges 50 and 56, thereby to provide a vapor-tight seal when the steam valve body 55 is threaded into engagement with the soleplate' by means of a threaded plug 58 on the lower end of the body. Liquid valve body 54 may be secured to reservoir 51 prior to assembly within the iron by means of the threaded connection 59 as shown in FIG. 5. Water valve body 54 similarly is flanged on its lower portion to provide in conjunction with gasket 60 a liquid-tight seal with the steam valve body when the various components are secured in assembled relation.

Liquid control from the reservoir is effected by means of a valve member 61 carried by a valve stem 62. As illustrated by FIG. 4, valve stem 62 is biased to an upward position by a compression spring 63 acting between the upper closed end of reservoir riser 52 and a bearing washer 64 pinned or otherwise appropriately secured on stem 62. Operator adjustment of valve stem 62 and valve 61 is accomplished from a push button 65 projecting upwardly above the front forward portion of the handle and connected by a U shaped member 66 to valve stem 62.

Valve 61 in cooperation with valve body 54 accomplishes two functions. Upon a first portion of its motion, this valve assembly controls flow of liquid from the reservoir into the steam valve assembly. Upon a second and further motion, the liquid valve controls flow of liquid from the reservoir into a liquid supply passage 67 for liquid spray. This may be accomplished, for example, by providing a tapered valve seat 68 within valve body 54 cooperatively associated with a tapered portion 69 on valve 61. Thus, with the valve in its upper position as shown in FIG. 4, and biased to this position by spring 63, liquid flow from the reservoir is completely shut off. By means of push button 65, valve 61 may be partially depressed, allowing liquid flow through the valve seat into the interior grooves or corrugations 74?. However, the cylindrical or barrel portion of valve 61 may still block liquid passage 67, and thus liquid flows only into the steam valve body 55. When valve member 61 is depressed a further distance, for example, to the position as shown in FIG. 5, liquid may then fiow not only into the steam valve body, but also into liquid passage 67.

The steam valve assembly in accordance with the embodiment of FIGS. 4 through 6 has been constructed to eliminate the necessity of maintaining the liquid reservoir under pressure. As shown most clearly by FIG. 5, the steam valve body 55 has an internally threaded recess 71 to receive a one-way valve. This one-way valve may comprise, for example, an apertured disk 72 threaded into body 55, and which disk includes a plurality of apertures 73 through which liquid may flow from the reservoir into the counter-bored cavity 74. Reverse flow of either steam or water through apertures 73 is prevented, however, by the one-way or check valve member, here shown in the form of a disk 75 movably mounted on a rivet 76 in the apertured member 72. In other words, this valve, including apertured disk 72 and check valve member 73, is similar to a percolator pump, in that it permits flow of water through apertures 73 into the steam generating well or cavity 74. However, as soon as the steam is generated or water is expanded within cavity 74, the increased pressure causes valve disk 75 to move upwardly to close apertures 73, thereby preventing back flow.

Since valve body 55 is secured in intimate heat exchange relationship with soleplate 44, liquid flowing into cavity 74 is heated and expanded, perhaps accompanied by partial vaporization. The resultant expansion and increase in pressure produces as a first effect closure of valve disk 75 as previously described. Liquid along with any steam the reservoir.

present then flows through a passage 77 in the steam valve body and by a check valve 78, shown in the form of a resilient-backed flapper'valve secured to body 55 by any appropriate fastening device. Thus, water and steam discharging from well 74 and through passage 77 flows into the steam generating cavity 47, wherein the liquid is completely vaporized. Back flow of steam into cavity 74 is prevented by means of flapper valve 78; and thus check valve 75 may reopen upon relief of pressure within well 74, to allow an additional quantity of water to flow into the well for vaporization in the manner as previously described. ln this manner, cavity 74 and the two one-way valves provide a liquid pump from the reservoir at atmospheric pressure to the steam generating chamber operating at an appreciably higher pressure. At the same time, steam within the steam chamber 47 flows outwardly through a steam discharge conduit 79 and through an opening 80 in the soleplate for discharge through a steam nozzle 81. With this arrangement, and due to the restricted orifice provided in steam nozzle 81, a substantial pressure may exist within the steam generating chamber 47. By means of flapper valve 78, this pressure does not interfere with further generation of steam, since Water may continue to flow through the apertures in disk 72 and by the check valve member 75 into well 74. Check valve member 75 prevents any back flow of steam from well 74 into the liquid reservoir. Therefore, the liquid reservoir may remain under atmospheric pressure, and steam generation will continue, providing a substantial build-up of pressure within the steam generating chamber 47.

When liquid spray is desired in the ironing operation, the operator depresses a further distance button 65, thereby depressing valve member 61 to allow liquid from the reservoir to flow into passage 67 in the water valve assembly. As clearly shown by FIG. 4, passage 67 communicates with a water discharge conduit 82 which terminates at a discharge point in the steam flow path from nozzle 31. Thus, water flowing through conduit 82 is broken up immediately on its discharge into a finely divided or atomized spray. Therefore, if the iron is lifted a short distance from the fabric being ironed, this spray will scatter over a considerable area to dampen properly the fabric.

In operation, the embodiment of FIGS. 4 through 6 is very similar to the previously described arrangement. The iron is initially placed on its heel rest, whereupon liquid may be poured into fill funnel 53 to fill reservoir 51 with the desired quantity of liquid. The electrical heating element is then connected to an appropriate source of electrical power so that the soleplate, along with the steam generating cavity, is heated to the desired operating temperature.

With push button '65 in its upper position as shown by FIG. 4, the iron may be operated as a dry iron, since valve 61 blocks any flow of liquid from the reservoir into the flash steam generator. If at any time the operator desires steam ironing, push button 65 is depressed to the catch to open valve 61, and allow liquid to flow into the body of the steam generating valve. This liquid flows through the apertures 7?: in the steam generating valve and into the vaporizing chamber or well 74 The steam is thereupon flashed almost instantaneously into steam, check valve 75 closing to prevent backflow of steam upwardly towards The steam thus generated forces open flapper valve 7 S to permit flow of the steam into the steam generating chamber 47, from which the steam may discharge through the soleplate from nozzle 81. Assuming that the barrel at of the water valve was not depressed beyond an initial increment, the cylindrical or barrel portion of this valve continues to block flow of liquid into the liquid conduit, including passage 67 and conduit 82. Therefore, the iron operates only as a steam iron under these conditions. However, if the valve member is depressed a further distance by means of push button 65,

liquid is allowed to flow into liquidv conduit 82 for diecharge into the steam flow issuing from nozzle 81. Thus, liquid discharging into the steam flow pattern is broken up 'by the high velocity steam into a finely divided liquid spray for discharge onto the fabric being ironed.

it may be noted with respect to both embodiments that an iron in accordance with this invention is capable of operation as a dry iron, as a steam iron, or as a liquid spray device. Since the steam is generated in a flash steam generator, the operator may select at any time operation either as a steam iron or as a spray device by a single manipulation of the steam and spray control button. The steam is generated substantially instantaneously as desired. if the operator desires liquid spray, the in stantaneous generation of steam provides the power for breaking up drops of liquid into a finely divided or atomized spray.

While the present invention has been described by reference to particular embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without actually departing from the invention. it is, therefore, the aim of the appended claims to cover all such equivalent variations as come within the true spirit and scope of the foregoing disclosure.

. What i claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. in a steam iron, a liquid sprayer comprising a steam generating chamber, heating means for said chamber, a liquid reservoir overlying said chamber, orifice means providing liquid flow during operation from said reservoir to said chamber whereby liquid flowing through said ori fice into said chamber is flashed into steam, a steam discharge nozzle connected to said chamber, and a water conduit in communication with and extending from said reservoir to a point of discharge into the steam flow from said nozzle.

2. in a steam iron having a soleplate, a flash steam generating chamber, a heating element for said soleplate and chamber, and a water reservoir overlying said chamber, liquid spray means comprising a steam discharge tube extending from said chamber and terminating in a discharge nozzle directed toward fabric being ironed, liquid metering means for discharging liquid from said reservoir into said chamber for flash vaporization into steam, at liquid tube communicating from the lower portion of said reservoir to a discharge point adjacent to said steam discharge nozzle, whereby steam flowing through said nozzle atomizes liquid flowing through said tube, and valve means controlling flow of water through said liquid tube.

3. in a steam iron having a soleplate, a flash steam generating chamber, a heating element for said soleplate and chamber, and a water reservoir overlying said chamber, liquid spray means comprising a steam discharge tube extending from said chamber and terminating in a dis charge nozzle directed toward fabric being ironed, a valve assembly communicating with said reservoir and having a manually adjustable valve member, a liquid passage from said valve assembly for discharging liquid from said reservoir into said chamber for flash vaporization into steam, a liquid tube from said valve assembly having a port to discharge liquid into the. steam flow issuing from said nozzle, whereby steam flowing through said nozzle atomizes liquid flowing through said tube, said manually adjustable valve member having a first position in which liquid flows only into said steam generating chamber and a second position in which liquid flows into both said steam generating chamber and into said liquid tube.

4-. A combination as defined by claim 3 in which said manually adjustable valve member has a third position in which no liquid flows from said reservoir.

5. in a steam iron having a soleplate a flash steam generator, a heating element for said soleplate and generator, a closed water reservoir positioned above said generator and valve means controlling water flow from said reservoir into said steam generator, that improvement comprising: a pressure balancing tube communicating from said steam generator into the upper portion of said reservoir, thereby to maintain liquid in said reservoir under the sme pressure existing in said steam generator, a steam discharge tube having an inlet communicating with said steam generator and an outlet nozzle directed toward fabric being ironed, and a water tube extending from the lower portion of said reservoir to a discharge point associated in a liquid spray position with respect to said steam outlet nozzle.

6. The combination as defined by claim with a valve means for controlling water flow through said water tube.

7. In a steam iron having a soleplate, a flash steam generating chamber, a heating element for said soleplate and chamber, and a closed water reservoir overlying said chamber, steam and liquid spray means comprising a pressure balancing tube extending from said chamber to the upper portion of said reservoir, a valve body having a first internal passage from the lower portion of said reservoir to said chamber, and a second internal passage, a steam discharge tube communicating from said chamber to a nozzle directed toward material being ironed, a water tube extending from said second internal passage to a discharge point in proximity to said steam discharge nozzle, a valve member cooperatively associated with said valve body movable to a first position to permit liquid flow from said reservoir to said chamber, and to a second position to permit liquid flow both to said chamber and through said water tube, thereby to provide a steam impelled liquid spray.

8. The combination of claim 7 in which said valve member has a third position in which water flow from said reservoir is prevented to both said chamber and to said water tube.

9. A liquid sprayer comprising a steam generating chamber, heating means for said chamber whereby liquid therein is flashed into steam, a water reservoir overlying said chamber, a water passageway from said reservoir to said chamber, a one-Way valve in said passageway permitting water flow into said chamber while preventing back flow of steam through said passageway, a discharge passage from said chamber terminating in a steam nozzle, and means including a liquid conduit from said reservoir discharging into the steam flow from said nozzle.

10. The combination as defined by claim 9, including manually operable valve means to control flow through said liquid conduit.

11. In a fiatiron, a liquid sprayer comprising a steam generating chamber, heating means for said chamber whereby liquid therein is flashed into steam, a Water reservoir overlying said chamber, a water passageway from said reservoir to said chamber including a flow regulating orifice therein, a one-way valve in the discharge end of said passageway permitting flow into said chamber while preventing flow of steam through said passageway, a discharge passage from said chamber terminating in a steam nozzle, a one-Way steam flow valve in 5 said discharge passage, means including a liquid conduit from said reservoir discharging into the steam flow from said nozzle, said water passageway including a valve body and valve stem, said liquid conduit being connected to said valve body, and means for moving said valve stem to a first position permitting liquid flow only to said steam chamber and to a second position permitting liquid flow also into said liquid conduit, thereby to provide a liquid spray.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said valve stem is movable to a third position in which liquid flow from said reservoir is prevented to both said chamber and to said liquid conduit.

13. A liquid sprayer comprising a steam generating chamber, heating means for said chamber whereby liquid therein is converted into steam, a liquid reservoir overlying said chamber, a liquid pump chamber, a one-way valve including a liquid conduit providing liquid flow from said reservoir into said pump chamber, a second one-way valve providing discharge from said pump chamber into said steam generating chamber, a steam discharge passage from said generating chamber terminating in a nozzle, and means including a liquid conduit from said reservoir discharging adjacent said nozzle and into the path of steam issuing from said nozzle.

14. In a steam iron, a liquid reservoir within the iron, means spaced from said reservoir for generation of steam within the iron and for applying pressure from the generated steam to the liquid contents of said reservoir and including means to heat said generator, means defining a valved flow passage for liquid from said reservoir to said steam generation means, a steam discharge passage to the outside of the iron in communication with said generation means, a spray tube having one end in communication with the liquid space in said reservoir and the other end terminating in a spray discharge nozzle, valve means for controlling liquid flow through said spray tube, and manual means for selectively controlling said valved flow passage and said valve means.

15. In a steam iron, a liquid reservoir within the iron, means spaced from said reservoir for generation of steam within the iron and for applying pressure from the generated steam to the liquid contents of said reservoir and including means to heat said generator, means defining a restricted liquid flow passage from said reservoir to said steam generation means, a. spray tube having one end in communication with the liquid space in said reservoir and the other end terminating in a spray discharge nozzle, and a steam tube communicating with said steam generation means and having a discharge orifice adjacent said spray nozzle through which steam issues into the path of liquid issuing from said spray discharge nozzle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,387,757 Hoecker Oct. 30, 1945 2,520,360 Clark Aug. 29, 1950 2,762,143 Hoecker Sept. 11, 1956 

